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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.03.14 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR March 3, 2014 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Larson at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Larson led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Larson, Bonar, Donnelly, Fogarty Members Absent: Bartholomay Also Present: Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; David McKnight, City Administrator; Robin Hanson, Finance Director; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director;Kevin Schorzman, City Engineer; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Tony Wippler,Planning Manager; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Audience: Courtney Whited, Mary Bujold 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Fogarty, second by Donnelly to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Dakota County Community Development Agency Presentation on Comprehensive Housing Study Findings- Planning Maxfield Research, Inc. completed a housing needs study for the Dakota County Community Development Agency(CDA). Ms. Mary Bujold of Maxfield Research, Inc. presented the findings of the study for Farmington. The last study was done in 2005. The county was divided into three submarkets, developed communities, growth communities (Farmington is in this category) and rural areas. The Metropolitan Council is in the process of updating their population numbers for 2020 and 2030 and making projections for 2040. This study was done ahead of those results, so Maxfield developed their own projections. Ms. Bujold noted their results reflect some of the slowdown in the recession and an increase in growth the later part of this decade and renewed growth in 2030. Mayor Larson asked if the population estimate was conservative at 25,500 in 2020 as we are currently at 22,000. Ms. Buj old agreed it could be conservative. There will be more growth between 2020 and 2030. Mayor Larson asked them to look at that again. The City is struggling to get commercial development here and part of the reason is population. If it is lower than the Met Council and actual numbers,that may handicap us in the potential growth of commercial development. City Administrator McKnight stated the original Met Council 2040 number was 26,900. Staff did not agree with that number, so the Met Council 3 Council Minutes(Regular) March 3,2014 Page 2 adjusted the number to 31,500 for 2040. Staff is comfortable with that number if development continues as it has been. Ms. Bujold stated Maxfield Research is projecting growth for the entire county of 49,500 households between 2010 and 2030,which amounts to an increase of 4,400 households in Farmington during that time. There will be a limited increase in senior housing demand until after 2020. The high median household income for the county is $71,360 as of 2013. Farmington's median income is$76,533 as of 2013. The county had good job growth from 2000 to 2010. There were 36,300 jobs added in the county, 879 jobs added in Farmington which is an increase of 22%. Regarding job growth from 2010 to 2020, Maxfield is projecting 34,300 jobs in the county and 1,135 jobs or 23% growth in Farmington. Farmington exports 89%of residents to jobs outside of Farmington, and 64%of residents work outside of Dakota County. The average Dakota County wage is$50,200. There is proposed rental development of 750 units in Dakota County, and 16,000 plus units across the metro area. The average rent in Dakota County is $931. Deep subsidy units are those where the resident qualifies if they have an income which is 50% or less than the area median income. In Dakota County there are 614 units. Shallow subsidy units are those which allow residents with income between 50% - 60% of the area median income. There are 1,400 of these units and the vacancy rate is zero due to waiting lists. In Dakota County there are 6,400 senior housing units with a 2.9%vacancy rate. Building permits were issued for 122 single family homes in Farmington in 2013, which is up from previous years. The vacant developed lot supply in Farmington is five years. The key findings show a growth of 20,710 units in 2010—2020 and 28,815 units in 2020—2030. The highest demand is at 48%for single family homes. Maxfield is predicting the distribution of growth will be at 70%in growth cities. They show a projection of 7,836 senior housing units in 2010—2030. The highest demand is at 38%for affordable/subsidized housing, with a distribution of 63%in growth cities. Ms. Bujold recommended the county continue to explore housing finance tools to assist in the creation of additional mixed income housing. Baby boomers and millennials will have the greatest impact on housing demand over the next 20 years. There is a continued need for shallow and deep subsidy housing. Vacancies for this type of housing are at their lowest in ten years and it is challenging for these residents to find affordable housing. They recommended the CDA develop two additional work force housing properties and two additional affordable senior properties in Farmington across the 20 year time period. Councilmember Bonar asked about the export ratio of residents working outside of Farmington and how does the community align itself with others when it comes to the number of individuals that actually work outside their communities. Ms. Bujold stated because it is a growth community, Farmington is similar to Lakeville and Hastings where a lot of their people commute to work outside of the r 4 Council Minutes(Regular) March 3,2014 Page 3 city. Farmington is not different for where it is positioned geographically. A lot of people also commute outside of Apple Valley for work. Burnsville is almost even in terms of the number of people that come into Burnsville to work and the number that leave Burnsville for work. As more commercial development occurs in Farmington,that ratio will decrease. Councilmember Donnelly asked who the major provider is for deep and shallow subsidy housing. Ms. Bujold stated the CDA is the leader in shallow subsidy development, but there are also private developers. Deep subsidy tends to be Section 8,which is not being built anymore. The CDA has targeted some units across the county within its own developments to serve a portion of those people. Rural development has gone through swings with this type of housing through their 515 program. There may be more interest coming in the future for areas that can qualify. Farmington is one of the areas that can qualify for the rural development 515 program. This is another avenue Farmington could provide for private developers. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS a) Response to Mr. Tom Ryan - Administration A response was sent to Mr. Ryan on his comments at the February 18,2014, Council meeting. 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Fogarty, second by Bonar to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (2/18/14 Regular) b) Received Update on Urban Chicken Ordinance - Planning c) Adopted RESOLUTION R18-14 Approving Curbside Cleanup Day Agreement —Municipal Services d) Adopted RESOLUTION R19-14 Ratifying AFSCME Maintenance Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement—Human Resources e) Adopted RESOLUTION R20-14 Accepting Donation Rambling River Center— Parks and Recreation f) Appointed Fire Marshal John Powers to the Dakota County Domestic Preparedness Committee-Administration g) Approved Community Development Director Position-Administration h) Approved Bills APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Approve Memorandum of Understanding with DARTS for Transit Service in Farmington—Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Director Distad presented a Memorandum of Understanding to provide DARTS transit service in Farmington, which is in addition to what is currently in place. This service will be available to residents 60 years of age and older. 5 Council Minutes(Regular) March 3,2014 Page 4 Ms. Courtney Whited,with DARTS,made a presentation on the service. DARTS was awarded a$63,000 grant through the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging to provide ADA certified transportation in Dakota County. They estimate 358 Farmington residents are non-drivers over 60 years old. There were 78 paratransit riders from Farmington using the Met Council Transit Link option last year. Farmington does not have Metro Mobility. Ms. Whited requested a$5,000 contribution from Farmington to extend the amount of rides that can be provided. Any resident over 60 years of age will be able to ride anywhere within the six-city service area. This is for any activities of daily living. Quarterly demographic rider reports will be available. They will provide eight hours of service per day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. The same driver will be used each day. They will provide door-to-door assistance with carrying groceries, etc. Riders can make standing orders in advance. The fare is based on monthly income and ranges from$3.50 -$7.50 each way. A personal care assistant for the rider can ride for free. A confirmation phone call is provided one day before the ride. The program is called DARTS Ride Connection. All buses are wheelchair lift equipped. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Bonar to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with DARTS to provide transit service in Farmington in 2014 and approving a$5,000 contribution to cover the cost of transit service in Farmington through December 31, 2014. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12. NEW BUSINESS a) Approve Trail Maintenance Plan—Parks and Recreation A long term plan was developed to show maintenance work on all city trails. Parks and Recreation Director Distad presented the plan showing every trail would be addressed over five years. The city was divided into five areas so maintenance would be performed on trails within the same area. The plan also allows for overlaying and reconstruction of existing trails as needed. Staff also included a financial plan for 2014—2035 that identified revenues and expenses for the trail maintenance fund. The city would need to continue to provide an annual levy of$30,000 to fund the fog sealing and crack sealing of trails starting in 2015 through 2035. Any unused funds will be used to build a reserve for overlaying and reconstruction of trails. In 2021 additional funds will be transferred from the CIP program in order to begin funding to complete the larger expenses of overlaying and reconstructing older trail sections. Councilmember Bonar noted in the last survey,trail maintenance was one of the highest ranking interests by the community. This is the first step in that process. MOTION by Fogarty,second by Bonar to approve the Trail Maintenance Plan. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6 Council Minutes(Regular) March 3,2014 Page 5 b) Parks and Recreation Department 2013 Annual Report—Parks and Recreation The Parks and Recreation Department consists of 10 full time staff and 50 seasonal employees. Pine Knoll Park received new playground equipment, shelter,basketball court and drainage work was done. Brush at the 204th Street entrance was removed to make the park more visible. A new 135-acre park was named Jim Bell Park and Preserve in honor of the former Parks and Recreation Director. Work is continuing on the Veteran's Memorial. Staff works with the FBA on an annual flower basket program. Maintenance on parks and ball fields is done throughout the season. Pet waste stations were installed along many of the trails. Warming houses were open 56 days out of 60 days in 2013. The city offers a swim bus program to bring kids to the pool. In 2013 there was an increase of 140 riders. Overall pool admission was down due to cooler days in 2013. Attendance was 11,566 compared to over 13,000 in 2012. The Learn to Skate program at the arena saw an increase in attendance in 2013. The total rental hours were down by 50 hours from 2012 and 130 hours from 2011. However,revenues were up due to an increase in the rental rate. In 2011 we had a loss of$16,000, in 2012 we had a$15,000 net profit in operations and in 2013 there is a$22,000 profit in operational costs. Staff collected 130 pounds of food for the food shelf from events at the arena. Improvements to the arena include a heating system for the bleachers, a new dehumidification system, a new HVAC system for team rooms, the mezzanine and team rooms were painted,a memorial bench was installed in memory of former employee Mike Nibbe, a roof was installed over the entrance door to the mechanical room and a new sidewalk was installed at the west entry. There are 29 programs offered in recreation, sports, arts and crafts. There were 223 classes within those programs. In 2013 there was an increase in total participants. The Louis Schmitz Foundation is a new partner in the scholarship program. The number of scholarships was increased in 2013 and the amount was increased due to a$500 donation from the Louis Schmitz Foundation and$500 from the Rotary Club. In 2013 recreation volunteers provided 2,430 hours which equates to more than a full time staff member. Online registrations increased by 8%. At the Rambling River Center, volunteer hours amounted to 13,122 hours in 2013. Sound absorption panels were installed in the banquet room to improve the sound. New flooring was installed in the arts and crafts room. Membership was up slightly for the center, but down a little for the fitness center. Total annual participation was up 720 participants from 2012. There have been 14 more rentals in 2013, an increase of 50 rentals over three years. Every revenue category at the Rambling River Center showed an increase from the budgeted amount. One of Council's goals was to increase the use of the building, and it has definitely increased not only by members, but by rentals. Members raised$8,071 through fundraising in 2013. These funds will be used for improvements to the 7 Council Minutes(Regular) March 3,2014 Page 6 building. A financial support program was started for members and non-members that want to access some of the programs. People can access up to $50 annually to be used for programs or to purchase memberships. It is funded through the Community Development Block Grant program. Last year 124 requests were approved for$4,291. There is $12,000 remaining in the fund. This has provided an opportunity for residents to participate in a program or a trip. Parks and Recreation Director Distad thanked the Rambling River Center Board and the Parks and Recreation Commission for their service. 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Fogarty: The next Council meeting will be three days before the start of spring. She thanked the residents for adopting fire hydrants and for their patience with our plow drivers who have done an outstanding job this year. City Administrator McKnight: Residents will be receiving their tax statements for 2014 and their 2015 valuation statements in the next week. It is important to look at the valuation statements because there is a timeline and a process if they want to appeal. Some residents bring this up at the city's truth in taxation hearing and that is past the county's deadline. Mayor Larson: Urged residents to shop local, money spent here stays here. The liquor store is having a wine sale this month. There will be a public open house for the 195th Street project on March 6,2014, from 4:00—7:00 p.m. at the Farmington Maintenance Facility. 14. CLOSED SESSION a) Labor Relations(LELS) Council will receive an update from staff on negotiations with LELS. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Donnelly to recess into closed session at 8:12 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Council reconvened in closed session at 8:21 p.m. Present: Larson, Bonar, Donnelly, Fogarty, Also present: City Attorney Jamnik, City Administrator McKnight, Human Resources Director Wendlandt MOTION by Fogarty, second by Bonar to recess out of closed session at 8:36 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 15. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by Donnelly to adjourn at 8:36 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant 8